With it now being 2026, I thought it would be fun to share my hotel elite status strategy for the coming year. While I think the value of airline elite status has decreased considerably over the years (well, in many ways), I continue to greatly value hotel elite status, including for suite upgrades and more.
As we start a new year, let me share a general overview of how I’m approaching hotel elite status, what elite status tiers I am starting the year with, and intend to end the year with.
First of all, my mom passed a few months ago, after a long battle with cancer (I miss her every day… ugh… anyway). For over six years, I felt like I couldn’t actually make any long term travel plans, since we never knew how much longer she’d have (and she outlived all our expectations). For that matter, I’d spend almost all of my spare time with her, rather than traveling. So with my mom’s passing, I also once again have a bit more time to travel, and also have the ability to plan in advance.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on One Mile at a Time.
